She's Here!! - the first moments

She's Finally Here!!

One of the most amazing life experiences is staring into the eyes of your first child shortly after delivery...

Just minutes after Iylah was born

Immediately after birth Iylah was placed on my chest for "skin-to-skin" contact.  A growing body of evidence shows amazing benefits for both mom and baby participating in skin-to-skin

I'll never forget looking into Iylah's big deep blue eyes for the very first time.  We just stared at each other, mom meeting daughter and daughter meeting mom.   I murmured something over and over like "Hi, Iylah - I'm so glad to finally meet you!  Welcome to the world, I'm your mommy! "

I don't really remember Iylah's first cry or her Daddy cutting the umbilical cord (which Brede did), I was just too memorized holding Iylah against my chest and enjoying our very first moment together, a moment that I will never forget.

Pure Bliss 

Just before being transferred out of delivery to post postpartum recovery I sang happy birthday to Iylah for the first time...  "happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you..."  by this time Iylah was waking up, probably cold and getting grumpy.  She's listened carefully awed by the to the first verse then promptly broke into a screaming wail / cry as I finished the song.

Welcome little one.  I love you already.